Top fragrances of 2012

From seductive to sporty the best olfactory fingerprints of the year

Guerlain Habit Rouge L’Eau (Rs 6500 / 100 ml): At a time when fragrance brands are falling over each other in search of brand ambassadors and dramatic packaging, Guerlain went back in time for inspiration for its 2012 bestseller. Habit Rouge (‘Red Jacket’ in French) was one of Guerlain’s iconic scents from the Sixties and L’Eau is a contemporary and easy to wear version for the 2010’s gentleman. It’s a soothing blend of bitter orange, hazelnut, jasmine and mild woods and allows you to explore the world of classic scents without cramping your style.

Lanvin Avant-Garde (Rs 4450 / 100 ml): if you are one of those pesky customers who keeps walking into fragrance counters asking for ‘something different’ there’s a good chance you might have been given a whiff of Lanvin’s standout scent for 2012. The Lanvin line has established itself as a contemporary embodiment of French masculine style and Avant-Garde is a tribute to the modern day dandy who isn’t shy to reveal his romantic side. The scent features an audacious mix of notes that include pink pepper, juniper, tobacco, bees wax and the very avant-garde synthetic ingredient Georgywood that sets it apart.

Carolina Herrera – CH Men Sport (Rs 4150 / 100 ml): Sporty scents are easy to love and easier to wear but if there’s one grouse it’s that these scents don’t last long enough on a humid day. Not this one though; it’s probably the strong presence of sandalwood with sparkling notes like grapefruit, Szechwan pepper and sage that makes CH Sport one of the most enduring scents. This scent sought inspiration from Carolina Herrera’s relaxed weekend trips to the American East Coast with the strong whiff of the sea and the sand and could just become your signature weekend scent.

L’Eau d’Issey pour Homme Sport (Rs 4250/100 ml): Blame it on the 2012 London Olympics but there’s probably never been a year when so many sporty fragrances hit the shelves. Even if the classic Issey Miyake is already part of your collection, this sporty number merits serious consideration. The original minimalist bottle gets a sporty makeover courtesy Italian sporting equipment designer Renato Montagner with a sporting-grip like cap reminiscent of a tennis racquet. The high energy scent brings together grapefruit, bergamot, vetiver and cedar and lasts almost endlessly; perfect for the outdoors and equally refined for a full day at the office.

Prada Luna Rossa (Rs 4350 /100 ml): Prada’s men’s fragrance line might be synonymous with classic scents that make the perfect statement at a board room or A-list party but their 2012 scent Luna Rossa makes a welcome deviation. Luna Rossa or red moon in Italian has become a part of popular culture from red wine to the Frank Sinatra song of the same name. This scent is a tribute to Prada’s successful yachting team in the America’s cup. You will love the stunning bottle inspired by sailing boats and the crisp and vibrant fragrance with notes like bitter orange, lavender and spearmint.